Our latest leadership spotlight features Michael Benjamin!
Michael’s digital marketing career initially began at a London-based agency where he learn his craft. In the years that followed, Michael worked across various industries, led digital teams and has worked with recognisable names which include Dexters, Rosetta Stone, and Meta.
In our Q&A with Michael, he discusses his journey in digital; including his experiences leading global marketing teams, his current position as Director of Marketing at Intuit, what he loves most about working in the digital industry, some of the most common challenges he sees in the industry, launching an event at Meta and why he’s known as the ‘record-breaker’!
Read our Q&A with Michael below.
Why did you join the Digital Leaders Club?
I often have very strategic and nuanced GTM questions that I would like an outside expert opinion on, and the Digital Leaders Club allows me to do so by being part of a group that includes some of the top Digital leaders across the UK.
What's your career journey been like to date?
I began at a boutique digital marketing agency in Central London where I learnt my craft across digital channels spanning multiple industries. I have then been client side, since then spending almost five years heading up Marketing, first for Rosetta Stone UK and then Europe.
I then spent close to six years heading up global marketing teams within the Real Estate vertical (Commercial, Residential and Room Share). I then spent three years leading global growth and digital for Meta before joining Intuit as the Director of Marketing.
Tell us about your current position
I currently lead five departments; Marketing Tech/Ops, Accountant Marketing, SMB Marketing, Performance Marketing, and also Partner/Channel. My main responsibility is the people management of a close to 50-person team, strategy, and GTM to deliver on management targets.
What do you love about working in digital?
I love the speed of development, the detail of measurement, and the ability to drive tangible results quickly.
What are the common challenges you see in digital leadership?
The strain to balance the short (in quarter results) and long term (2-3 year plans to deliver a step change in market share growth) along with the art of balancing resource and Opex investment accordingly.
Have you had any interesting moments in your career so far?
One of my most interesting moments would be leading a 50+ person cross-functional team to launch a new event at Meta; where Zuckerberg was speaking (no pressure), and then going on to lead the team to break the record at Meta for the most ever registrations driven for a Meta external event.
Have you had any challenges in your career to date; and how did you overcome them?
To many to name (firstly not finding a job for one year after graduating in the 2008 credit crisis) and my faith as a Christian has been keen to getting me through many career challenges and propelling me to the next level.
Tell us about your best success story
I do love the Meta event achievement - I was known as the record-breaker at Meta after this, LOL!
I did have another significant achievement a Meta in launching Account Based Marketing (ABM) and going from $0 in Pipeline revenue to more than $9m in around three financial quarters, to which I won an award.
What’s it been like transitioning to a hybrid setup over the past few years?
I have loved it, having two young children has meant I have been around to see them start talking, walking, and now having conversations with me about my day at work!
What's the coolest/most interesting trend you're excited about?
I don't want to say Gen AI, because it's so cliche so will say digital marketing in the 'Cookieless world' – there’s so much to learn!
How would your colleagues describe you?
Driven, Diligent, and hopefully funny, LOL!
What are your hobbies and interests outside of work?
I love playing football, but more recently a player-manager as my legs don't work like they used to.
What would you be doing (for a career) if you weren’t doing this?
I would be a manager of a Premier League Football club or an F1 driver! ⚽🏎️
Connect with Michael Benjamin on LinkedIn